Page 80 - Aug Sept 2016

A Case for Specialized and Specific Intervention and Treatment Strategies with Abused Children
There appears to be enough evidence abused children. Perhaps after all of the
to show how children who have been research and articulation of therapeutic

abused experience and demonstrate and legal approaches and modalities,
PTSD is qualitatively different from simple gentleness may be the healing salve

adults. Specific research into these that is needed. Certainly pressing a child
qualities and even possible child- through a legal process does not qualify
specific symptoms and discrete as ‘gentle.’ It is time for the clinical

behavioral episodes need to be healers to move forward out of repetitions
explored. Ascertaining if current of ‘the need for more research’ on the

formats of forensic questioning development of more effective forensic
contribute to driving PTSD symptoms and therapy approaches, and do the
deeper, contribute to their escalation developing right now, in the field.

and intensity, or are supportive of
healing appears to be a fair area of

concern. The development of ever
more specific and specialized forensic
and treatment approaches, as informed

by valid scientific research on child
victims expressions of PTSD is needed.

Accurate tools to guide the process of
treatment and measure outcomes are
needed. High quality comprehensive

education of all professionals involved
with child victims about the nature

and peculiarities of PTSD in children
would allow for more accurate and Photo Courtesy of google.com
effective litigation and movement of the William Krill is a clinician working in central

child towards and through treatment. Pennsylvania with children who are survivors
There is no specialized, specific, and of interpersonal abuse. He has over twenty five

individualized treatment modality for years of experience in the human services and
treating PTSD in children who have ministry fields. A book about this fresh and inno-
been victims of interpersonal abuse. vative approach, entitled "Gentling: A Clinician's

Though all of the mentioned therapy Guide to Treating PTSD in Abused Children" is
currently going to press. You can read more of
alternatives certainly implicitly contain his helpful articles at:

empathy and gentleness, none articulate http://www.freewebs.com/krillco
gentleness as a key aspect of treating

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